The 2013 Lexus LS Lineup

In the continuing of Lexus's quest to inject some soul into its vehicles, Lexus has thoroughly refreshed the LS lineup for the 2013 LS lineup. The basic structure hasn't changed, but Lexus has implemented its latest design language onto the Lexus LS, and fine tuned it for more refinement and livelier handling.

Remote Touch, in all its mouse-like control and 12.3-inch screen glory, replaces the logical touchscreen on the outgoing generation LS. The new LS does use an updates version of Remote Touch, but it's still generally less intuitive than a touchscreen. Lexus Enform is also built into Remote Touch, and it has supports Pandora, Yelp, Bing, and other popular applications.

New safety features include a system that alerts you of oncoming traffic when you're backing up, and a blind-spot monitoring system. The pre-collision system can now brake the car to a complete stop at speeds up to 24 miles per hour if the system determines there is an upcoming collision.

Climate Concierge is a new feature for Lexus debuting with the 2013 LS. It is a piece of technology that uses information from a set of sensors along the inside of the car to adjust heating and cooling for more consistent temperatures inside.

All the drivetrain pieces carry over, albeit with small gains in power of the 4.6 liter V-8 powered cars; LS600hL hybrids get no increases in power. Drive Mode Select, a new standard feature on the LS, has Eco, Normal, and Sport settings. LSs that are optioned with the air suspension gets tow additional modes: Comfort and Sport+.

The new F-Sport model will be the most dynamic of the 2013 LS lineup. It sports a lowered air suspension, Brembo brakes, a limited-slip rear differential, and 19-inch forged wheels with optional summer tires. More aggressive styling cues, front seats with bigger side bolsters, and aluminum interior trim further separate the F-Sport from other LS cars.

The LS460 and LS460L with the 386-horspower 4.6 liter V-8 will go on sale first in October. The F-sport follows in November, and the LS600hL is the last to arrive at dealerships in December.

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